Yearly News Archives: 2012

BROWNWOOD – October 5, 2012 – Howard Payne University has expanded to three campuses across the state, and the university recently created a new administrative position to serve these extension centers. Dale Meinecke, a 1998 HPU graduate, was appointed assistant vice president for external programs and church relations.

In this capacity, Meinecke will oversee enrollment services and development of the university’s New Braunfels and El Paso campuses. He will also work to build relationships with area churches and associations to the mutual benefit of all institutions. His wife, Christy, also a 1998 graduate, was hired as an admission counselor, primarily for the New Braunfels campus.

“We are proud to welcome the Meineckes back to the HPU family,” said Dr. Bill Ellis, university president. “They are outstanding alumni and we are thrilled to have them return as ambassadors of the university.”

The Meineckes were highly engaged as students on campus and later returned to serve on staff. He was an HPU football coach and chapel coordinator from 2005 to 2006, and she served as an admission counselor from 1998 to 1999. The couple most recently worked at Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington – he as dean of students and she as a kindergarten teacher. He graduated with a master’s degree in theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005 and is working toward his doctorate in leadership studies at Dallas Baptist University.

“As I thought about the future, I was continually drawn to the Christian college and especially to our Baptist schools in Texas,” he said. “I believe a large part of that is due to the life-change I experienced while attending Howard Payne. My hope is for other students to be drawn into a passionate and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Christy and I feel very blessed to be a part of the Howard Payne family once again. We look forward to serving the students and campuses.”

###

Photo cutline: Dale Meinecke will serve HPU as assistant vice president for external programs and church relations.

BROWNWOOD – October 5, 2012 – The public is invited to a special concert at Howard Payne University featuring eight of the university’s music students. The concert will be held, free of charge, on Monday, October 8 at 5 p.m., in the university’s Grace Chapel.

“The hour-long event is a recital of selected music majors performing on their respective instruments or voice,” said Dr. Rob Tucker, dean of music, fine arts and extended education. “It promises to be a rewarding musical experience. Everyone is invited to this important event.”

October 5, 2012 — Homecoming Week is fast approaching, and the university is in need of volunteers to make the celebration the best it can be. Some of the jobs will only require an hour of someone’s time, and each volunteer will receive a free t-shirt.

Visit this link to see the jobs available and sign up for the one that best fits your schedule.

BROWNWOOD – October 4, 2012 – Howard Payne University was named to the Military Friendly Schools® list by Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The 2013 Military Friendly Schools® list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the U.S. that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools® shows HPU’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs and vice president at Victory Media. “As interest in education grows, we’re thrilled to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in the search for schools.”

The Military Friendly Schools® website, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences. The 1,739 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.

“HPU is honored to have been named to this distinguished list,” said Dr. Bill Ellis, university president. “We have been incredibly blessed by the men and women serving our country and we are proud to be recognized as a university that, in turn, serves them.”

Now in its fourth year, the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools® was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 schools across the nation approved by the Veterans Administration. The survey results that comprise the 2013 list were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weightings and methodology established by G.I. Jobs. Each year, schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria and weightings developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from schools across the country. A full list of board members can be found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/board.

A full story and detailed list of 2013 Military Friendly Schools® will be highlighted in the annual G.I. Jobs Guide to Military Friendly Schools®, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October.

BROWNWOOD – October 3, 2012 – Howard Payne University has announced the Homecoming Court for 2012. The HPU Homecoming queen and princess will be crowned on Friday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. during the Homecoming Convocation in the university’s Mims Auditorium.

Homecoming queen nominees are Carlee Ammons, a senior communication studies major from Houston; Gayle Erdman, a senior criminal justice major from Scottsbluff, Neb.; and Laura Peisker, a senior math major from Cedar Park.

Homecoming princess nominees are Gabi Guerrero, a junior Academy of Freedom student and communication studies major from Red Oak; Hannah Hicks, a junior exercise and sport science major from Flower Mound; and Robin Scofield, a junior Academy of Freedom student and communication studies major from Naples, Fla.

The Homecoming Court will be featured in the parade on Saturday, Oct. 13, beginning at 11 a.m., and in the half-time show of the football game versus Mississippi College at Gordon Wood Stadium starting at 2 p.m.

The student body selects the court each year by elections coordinated through the Student Government Association.

BROWNWOOD – October 2, 2012 – Howard Payne University is now mobile thanks to a generous grant from the Texas Pioneer Foundation and assistance from the Bruner Auto Group of Brownwood. The new Mobile Go Center, a 42-foot trailer equipped with laptop computers, satellite Internet and more, will allow HPU to take the university to prospective students across the state.

HPU’s Mobile Go Center (MGC) will provide information on HPU and the general college search process, with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of students enrolled and succeeding in higher education programs in Texas. The MGC will visit schools, community events, festivals, churches and more to present information about higher education in an atmosphere comfortable to prospective students and their families.

The MGC center is adorned with HPU graphics and photography. It is pulled by a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab, secured with assistance from the Bruner Auto Group of Brownwood.

“Thanks to this new recruiting tool, HPU is going to be able to reach students who may not have otherwise considered applying to college,” said Stephen Sullivan, MGC coordinator and admission counselor. “With all the technology and resources at our fingertips, the MGC is the next step to helping every student achieve his or her dream of receiving a higher education.”

The Texas Pioneer Foundation is a private, independent foundation created in 2004 to fund programs that will expand access to higher education for all Texas students.

###

Photo cutline: HPU’s new Mobile Go Center will allow the university to share information about higher education across the state.

BROWNWOOD – October 2, 2012 – In observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Howard Payne University is hosting a special exhibit to pay tribute to the lives lost to domestic violence. The “Empty Shoes” display at the university’s Girling Center for Social Justice features a pair of shoes for each of the 10 Central Texas women and children who have died in the last 13 years as a result of such violence.

The university will hold a candlelight vigil on Thursday, October 4, at 6:30 p.m., outside the Girling Center on the Academy of Freedom campus. The community is invited to attend to help honor the memory of the victims.

The Empty Shoes display was provided by the ARK (Advocacy, Respect, Kindness) Domestic Violence Shelter in Brownwood, and will be at HPU until Friday. After that, the exhibit will be featured at Heartland Mall.

For more information, contact The ARK at (325) 643-2699.

###

Photo cutline: HPU students examine the Empty Shoes display at the university’s Girling Center for Social Justice.

BROWNWOOD – October 2, 2012 – Howard Payne University’s Homecoming celebration will be held Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12-14. This year’s theme is “The Great Adventure,” and approximately 40 events will be held throughout the weekend.

Alumni and visitors can register for Homecoming events by visiting homecoming.hputx.edu or by calling 1-800-950-8465 or 325-649-8069. A full calendar of events, various ticket packages and information about this year’s honorees are available online.

Homecoming events will include the following:

Performances of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will be held at the university’s Mims Auditorium. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For ticket information, contact the School of Music and Fine Arts at 325-649-8500.

The Golden Graduate Luncheon for the Class of 1962 will be held Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Mabee University Center’s Bullion Suites.

HPU’s soccer teams will take on Hardin-Simmons University Friday afternoon (women at 1 p.m. and men at 3 p.m.) and on Saturday (women at 1 p.m. and men at 3 p.m.). The games will be held at HPU’s Citizens National Bank Soccer Field.

Homecoming Convocation will begin at 2 p.m. Friday in Mims Auditorium. The Homecoming Queen and Princess will be crowned.

The Sodexo Alumni Awards Banquet will be held Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Mabee University Center’s Beadel Dining Area, during which several Homecoming 2012 honorees will be recognized. Jonny Diaz will perform, and free child care will be available starting at 6 p.m. Registration for child care is required and can be scheduled by calling 325-649-8069.

The university will host Underwoods’ Cobbler on the Campus, a dessert social open to all campus visitors, from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday night at Muse Plaza and Mall. HPU alumnus Clay Tyner ’11 will perform.

From 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday evening, the university will host the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce pep rally and fireworks show at Don Shepard Park (HPU’s baseball park).

Saturday morning, the Hispanic Alumni Breakfast will be held in the Mabee University Center’s Bullion Suites from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. At this time, the university will honor the recipient of the Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award.

The third annual 5K/1-Mile Fun Run will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at Riverside Park. Those interested in participating should contact David Foster, head cross country/assistant softball coach, at 325-649-8950.

The Big Country Ford Parade will travel around the HPU campus on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. The parade will wind its way from HPU’s Doakie Day Art Center around the Mabee University Center, down Fisk Street to Austin Avenue, where it will turn and re-enter the campus on Center Avenue. The parade will end on HPU’s Wilson Walkway.

The TexasBank Picnic on the Plaza will begin at noon on Saturday at Muse Plaza and Mall on the HPU campus.

The HPU Yellow Jacket football team will play Mississippi College at 2 p.m. Saturday at Gordon Wood Stadium.

HPU’s Academy of Freedom Alumni Reception will be held Saturday evening at 5 p.m. in the Academy’s Constitution Hall.

On Sunday at 9 a.m., married alumni are welcome to participate in renewing their vows in HPU’s beautiful Grace Chapel.

A variety of reunions and other events will be held throughout the weekend. A complete schedule of events is available online at homecoming.hputx.edu.

BROWNWOOD – September 28, 2012 – Howard Payne University’s Jazz Ensemble will present its fall concert October 4, at 7:30 p.m., in HPU’s Mims Auditorium. There is no charge for admission and the public is welcome to attend.

The group, led by Stephen Goacher, professor of music, will present a variety of selections from composers such as John Carisi, Paul Lohorn, Andrew Neu, Astor Piazzolla and Billy Strayhorn. In addition, the Jazz Ensemble will play a piece titled “Latin Blue,” composed by Joseph Dunlap, a 2009 HPU graduate.

Dunlap, a native of Brownwood, is influenced by jazz musicians such as Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, and classical artists such as Samuel Barber, Johannes Brahms, P.I. Tchaikovsky and Philip Glass. While at HPU, his principal teacher was Dr. Elizabeth Wallace, professor of music. He went on to complete a Master of Music in Theory and Composition at Hardin-Simmons University in May 2012. Dunlap will perform at the concert with members of the Jazz Ensemble.

BROWNWOOD – September 21, 2012 – Many Howard Payne University students spend their summers working at camps. This summer Jessi Galindo, an HPU athletic training major from Del Rio, followed in the footsteps of her peers. However, Galindo’s camp was in Malaysia.

The camps at which Galindo volunteered were offered through the Christian Sports Medicine Alliance (CSMA) through a partnership with the International Sports Federation. Galindo served as an athletic trainer and volunteered at camps in four Malaysian cities.

A goal of the camps was to teach fundamental basketball skills to students from elementary through high school. Additionally, Galindo functioned as an athletic trainer, taping ankles, helping players stretch and attending to other minor scrapes and bruises. CSMA’s other main goal with the camps was for the volunteers to build relationships and share the Gospel with students.

“We held basketball camps in the morning and in the afternoons we played pick-up games against colleges and other teams,” Galindo said. “After the games we would go out to eat with the teams and talk to them.”

Galindo spoke about one student with whom she grew close while she was there. One night at dinner she simply asked him, “What do you believe?”

He replied “When you do bad, you have to do good to make up for it. Otherwise you won’t go to heaven.”

Then it was Galindo’s turn and she began to tell him what she believed. Galindo quoted Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Then she asked him if he had ever heard of Jesus. He had not.

Reflecting back on the conversation Galindo said, “It was so peculiar to me that he was 19 and didn’t know who Jesus was. It really made me think about how many people have probably never heard about Christ. If there was no one to tell this teenager, then it was likely his parents and grandparents didn’t know about God either.”

Through her experiences this summer, Galindo was greatly encouraged because God showed her that He is the one who leads her steps. Not only was she able to encourage the students, but she was encouraged by the relationships she built with them. “He puts the right people in your life to encourage you and push you along, because He knows exactly what you need,” she said.

###

Photo cutline: Jessi Galindo volunteered at summer camps in Malaysia. She is shown with one of the camp participants.